OK, I want it, but for Linux.
Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
61–70 of 246 posts
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#62there is nothing more satisfying than the thickness of the device being the same thickness of the charge cable terminal.
This looks dope, looking forward to ordering in the future.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#63I am a big fan of the original Altar. I like that you’ve been trying new things with that design like the novel keycap profile. The switches look like cherry ultra low profile switches. I’ve not tried these out, how do they feel compared to the linear kailh choc v1’s you used before.
Glad you like Altar I!
They feel quite different to the Chocs, unsurprisingly. Although the required actuation force is close to the Choc Reds (40gf on our switch vs 50gf on the Choc Reds), because it's spread over such a small vertical travel it feels much "snappier". There is also very little pre-travel. It's kind of like a much sharper/tactile feeling chiclet switch with more vertical travel, if that makes sense.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#64To everyone who is about to pile on regarding the lack of a fingerprint sensor: you know it's not possible, we all know it's not possible, the creator of this project knows it's not possible. What are you adding to the conversation when you complain about it? So it's a dealbreaker for you, don't buy it. To @aemerson_: Congratulations on taking a risk. On first look this is great work. The attention to detail on both…
A fingerprint sensor isn't possible, appreciated, but what about a U2F activation button? It could even just be a wireless pass-through for USB to allow your yubikey to work for example (I'm certain this can be done on Linux but unsure about other oses)
https://github.com/zimengxiong/tinytouch spoofs as a card reader but won't work with Apple Pay and the like.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#65With this was more in line with corne style split keyboards and really made for programmers like enthium.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thank you so much! Really appreciate it. Glad you like the website too, I put a lot of effort into it. If you have any questions I'd be very happy to answer them.
Honestly the price seems quite low for what you get (at $249) and what looks like might be a small batch production. I hope you can make a profit after everything is said and done at that price!
This price is only for people who reserve before we launch on Kickstarter. I agree it is good value but also I should point out the retail price will be $349 for anyone buying after we fulfil all the pre-orders.
Rest assured we are building a sustainable business that will be around for the long haul.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#67I’m assuming it’s not possible for it to include a fingerprint sensor? As much as I’d like a mechanical keyboard for my Mac that’s always the part that gets me. I end up using the one my Magic Keyboard 20+ times per workday. Otherwise it looks beautiful.
In my setup my laptop is close enough that I can reach out and use the fingerprint reader on it. It is stupid but I got used to it pretty quickly.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#68To everyone who is about to pile on regarding the lack of a fingerprint sensor: you know it's not possible, we all know it's not possible, the creator of this project knows it's not possible. What are you adding to the conversation when you complain about it? So it's a dealbreaker for you, don't buy it. To @aemerson_: Congratulations on taking a risk. On first look this is great work. The attention to detail on both…
Fingerprint sensor is technically possible: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=120964.0
CC @gtsteve
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#69Love the design and have also wanted a super low profile mechanical keyboard like this! I have one question though - what is the travel or activation distance of the keys? The one thing I actually like about the magic keyboard or Microsoft's designer keyboard is that the "click" is immediate and the entirety travel distance of the key is the activation bump. I dislike any amount of the "extra" travel distance (I'm no…
The travel distance on the Altar II switches is 1.8mm, so about 0.8mm more than on a MacBook keyboard. Similar to those keyboards, there is very little pre-travel on Altar II keys.
With regard to Windows keys that is a possibility. We shipped our previous keyboard, Altar I, with both Mac and Windows markings on the keys.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#70Rarely have I wanted to spend money on a peripheral as readily as on this keyboard. It looks like it's perfection.